Traveling block construction



March 24, 1936. H. 'r. NICHOLS TRAVELING BLOCK CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 29, 1950 March 24, 1936. H, NICHOLS 2,034,728

TRAVELING BLOCK CONSTRUCT ION Original Filed Sept. 29, 1930 2 snee'bs-sneet 2 Patented Mar. 24, 1936 2,034,728 TRAVELING BLOCK CON STRUOTION Harry Talmage Nichols, San Antonio, Tex.

Application September 29,1930, Serial No. 485,276 Ren wed May 21, 1935 44 Claims. (Cl. 254-192) My invention relates to traveling block conin a sidewise direction away from the planes costruction. It has to do particularly with the incident with the side edges of the rims of the provision of a traveling block having various adjacent sheaves. features of novelty which combine to overcome Opposite end edges of the frame plates are 5 serious disadvantages hitherto prevalent in travapertured to receive pins which pass therethrough 5 to secure becket members which have eye portions In order to adequately disclose the novelty of disposed in interlaced relation therewith. various features of the present invention, I will The becket on the upper end of the block, first describe the principal features which charwhich may be or may not be mounted to pivot acterize previously known traveling block conthereon, is for the anchoring of the standing l structions. part of the compound pulley hoisting cable rove Previously known traveling block constructions, through the grooves of the sheave means of the as utilized in the extremely heavy operations intraveling block. cident to the drilling of wells, have consisted of The becket on the lower end of the block is a plurality of elongated metal plates disposed in the l d Supporting k n his b cket is 1 parallel, spaced apart relation to each other, inintended to pivot freely on the becket pin which eluding outer, or cheek, plates, and inner plates ppo s it n interl ced relation with the lower disposed intermediate the former to constitute 9. end edges of the frame plates of the block. framework to house and rotatably support sheave The spacing of these lower edges is calculated means disposed in the spaces between the sid s to allow a working clearance between the plane of adjacent plates. sides of the eye portions of the becket and the In previously known constructions the lines portions of the lower end edges of the frame plates which bound the extremities of the sides of the Which abut them. frame plates that face toward the central planes Intermediate th becket Din ape tures at either of the sheaves to which they are respectively adend of the frame plates are Other apertures ejacent are characterized by their being spaced through for the l'eceptien m s to a b y is established by-calculating the distance between da the extremities of the plane face sides of the The ends of the becket pins and the center pin sheaves between which they are disposed and or shaft, if the latter is used, are secured on the of those sheaves. relaxable means which seat against outer fiat Usually the outer, or cheek, plates have been surfaces thereof, which latter are at right angles of straight uniform section in which case they to the axes of the sheaves of the block. 40

have been, latterly, and generally, supplemented The spaces between the end edge portions of by outer plate or bar formations projecting outthe plates not occupied by the eye portions of the extremities of the traveling block. are usually carried onthe becket pins, which lat- In other known constructions the outer, or ter, apart from carrying the becket members, cheek, plates, while not of uniform section also serve to hold the frame plates against sepathroughout their length, and sometimes having ration. integrally formed reinforcing ribs or otherboss- I have conceived the idea that these prior art like formations on their sides which face toward traveling blocks are of such construction that they the central planes of the sheaves to which they possess numerous disadvantages from a practical are adjacent, are so disposed'that the lines which standpoint. define their extremities which face toward the This invention remedies these disadvantages. central planes of the sheaves to which they are One of these disadvantages arises from the fact adjacent (which lines, therefore, are the normal that prior traveling block constructions have been lines defining those sides thereof) are also spaced made of unnecessary length.

One reason for this has been the tendency to adhere to the usual provision of an anchor for the dead line or standing part of the hoisting line on the traveling .block in the form of a becket attached to the top thereof.

Another reason for this has been the attempt to offset the tilting tendency of the traveling block, a tendency which is proportionately cumulative with each additional sheave in the traveling block, by addingto the length of the portion of the block framework which is below the axis of the sheave means thereof, in comparison with the length thereof above the said axis, thereby producing what is known as underslung construction.

In traveling blocks of the so called underslung type the length of the framework is usually equal to double or more the rim dimension of the sheave means of the block.

Another disadvantage inherent in prior art traveling blocks has arisen from the customary practice of utilizing the pin which connects the lower load supporting becket to the traveling block for the additional function of securing the lower end of the frame plates of the traveling block against separation. l

In oil field operations, it frequently becomes necessary to remove this lower becket pin so that the lower becket may be removed for disconnection from and connection to the particular type of apparatus which is to be supported thereby.

These traveling blocks are ordinarily used under extremely heavy loads, and when a new traveling block is placed in service and subjected to these loads imperfections in agreement and alinement between the parts, which are inevitable in commercial manufacture, bring about a realinement and accommodation therebetween which subsides when a working mean becomes established.

Th stresses imposed on the portions of the frame plates between the sheave supporting apertures and the lower end edge portions which surround the load-supporting becket pin apertures during this process of realinement under load, and particularly on the straight section, inner plates, which often exceed the elastic limit of the metal of the plates, and tend to produce a warped or distorted condition which destroys the alinement-and spacing of these lower end edge portions.

The starting and subsequent spreading of these distortions, which culminate in a misallned, misspaced condition in these lower edge portions of the frame plates, are induced by the lack of a unitary, firm, rigid spacing and binding together of these lower end edge portions of the inner and outer frame plates which would tend to prevent the development of such a condition.

The spacing and binding of these lower end edge portions of the frame plates has, in all previous constructions, been merely nominal, inasmuch as themere holding against separation by a becket pin which permits the interlaced eye portions of the becket to move freely relative to the portions of the several frame plates which abut them cannot, because ofthis very fact, be effective to resist and prevent the development of warping and distortion.

The warped and distorted condition thus produced in these lower end edge portions of the frame plates operates, in fact, to produce a binding effect between the plane faces of the eye portions of the becket and the abutting p rtions of thereof the plates which prevents the free pivoting of the former.

The mentioned warping and distortion also produces a binding action between the straight walls of the apertures through the plates and the becket pin installed therein, which binding action necessitates severe driving by repeated heavy blows against the threaded end of the becket pin to disassemble it.

Under these conditions, which are the rule and not the exception, the reassembly of the becket and its pin present even greater difliculty, and this difflculty becomes cumulatively greater each time the becket is disassembled from the framework.

Another disadvantage in prior art traveling blocks has arisen from the fact that, owing to the extremely heavy loads to which these traveling blocks are subjected in oil well drilling operations, it has been customary, in order to utilize the full strength of the stock of the sheave supporting frame plates thereof, to provide apertures therethrough having straight walls which extend across the full normal section of the metal thereof for the reception of the becket pins.

These beck'et pins are so closely fitted to the diameter of the apertures in which they are installed that expert mechanics are required in the shop to assemble them, this being particularly so because of the fact that each becket pin is ordinarily provided behind its threads with a shoulder of such angular form that it will not readily enter the close fitting apertures in the plates, the lips of which are also of the same angular form as the shoulder on the pin.

Another disadvantage has arisen from the fwt that, in the effort to provide th with side surfaces devoid of angular projections or protuberances, which might engage and foul objects passed by the block during operation, it has been customary to shelter the heads and nuts of the becket pins and the center pin or shaft in recesses formed in the outer sides of the outer plates having a greater diameter than the nuts sheltered therein.

Sometimes this desired result has been obtained by providing supplemental reenforcing plates or bars on the sides of the traveling block, these reenforcing plates or bars likewise containing similar recesses in which the heads and nuts of the becket pins and the center pin'or shaft are sheltered.

Where these recesses are provided in the cheek plates, the over-all thickness of these plates must be increased to provide for the depth of the recesses which, by reason of their diameter being superior to that of the nuts sheltered do no useful work, and this results in a creased width.

Where outside reenforclng plates are used, it will be obvious that the width of the traveling block is also increased.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a traveling block of greatly decreased length in proportion to the size of the sheaves which will be adequately supported, and which will, also, adequately offset and overcome the tilting tendtraveling block of inencies inherent in traveling blocks.

Another object of my invention is to provide a traveling block of such construction that the load supporting becket pin thereof may be removed and replaced at will without hindrance from distorted plates or parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means for facilitatin the rapid and easy insertion of the lower becket pin into the interiorly disposed ends vision of a traveling block wherein the over-all length thereof is but slightly greater than the rim diameter of the sheaves, this being mainly accomplished by two features.

One of these features arises from the fact that I preferably entirely dispense with the conventional upper becket provide means for connecting the standing part of the cable to the traveling block within the area below the top of its sheaves.

Another of these features arises from the fact that My invention also preferably contemplates the provision of means for exactly spacing and rigidly binding the sheave supporting frame plates of traveling blocks which is effective, under all conditions of use and manipulation of the other parts of the block, to resist the tendency of these plates to warp and become distorted, and to maintain this rigidly bound exactly spaced relationship.

This provision of means is especially important in and between the lower and edge portions of the frame plates through which the load supporting becket pin apertures are formed, since it permits the load supporting becket to, at all times, pivot freely on the pm which supports the eye portions portions of the frame plates.

These funnel shaped mouths which flare inends of the straight walls of the apertures through of the traveling block and delays by permitting the rapid and ready insertion of the becket pin into assembled position The binding p'n apertures through the frame plates are, preferably, likewise provided with similar boss formations which have similar funnel shaped mouths to facilitate the assembly of the v entire sheave supporting plate structure of the block.

across the full normal section thereof.

obvious that the necessity of chamfering the stock of the normal secof these recesses.

This will result in my invention is awings wherein designate correof my novel construction.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, illustrating my preferred method of connecting the standing part of the cable to the traveling block.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line l4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly to the tapered recesses provided therefo Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, illustrating my pin guidmg means.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 6, taken on the line 71 on Figure 6.

In the drawings:

edge nuts may, if desired, take With special reference to Figures 1 and 4, it will be seen that my traveling block comprises outer plates 8 and 9 between which are designed to be mounted a plurality of sheaves which may be designated l0 which are cored out on their sides so that the spokes or webs thereof are of a section substantially less than the section of the rims taken laterally.

These sheaves [0 are mounted upon a center shaft or pin ll through the medium of roller bearings which may be generally designated l3 and which may be provided with lubricating passages such as indicated in the drawings. The center pin or shaft H is secured in operative position-by the nut l2.

Disposed in between each sheave and the next adjacent sheave l0 are plates which are substantherethrough.

These plates are designated by the numerals l5, l6, l1, and I8, and they are also apertured to receive the binding pins I9, 20, 2|, and 22.

They are held in assembled position and in properly spaced relation through the medium of spacing collars 23 which are carried upon the pins I9, 20, 2| and 22 that. likewise pass through the outer plates 8 and 9.

By reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that these pins l9 and 20 are disposed outside of the area, that is, the area circumscribed by the peripheries of the sheave members l0 and below points at a level coincident with the uppermost limits thereof;

Sheave supporting plate members of the framework including inner plates, are preferably provided, on sides thereof which face a sheave, with lading formations which project away from those sides toward the central plane of the sheave faced and past a point coincident with the plane of the adjacent side edge of the rim of the sheave faced, so that each lading formation has a vertical face that is closer than the adjacent side edge of the rim of the sheave faced to a point coincident with the central plane of the latter.

Preferably these lading formations have portions symmetrically disposed on either side of the vertical plane coincident with the axes of the supported sheaves and on the lower halves of the portions of the sheave supporting frame plates which are circumscribed by the peripheries of the sheaves.

These lading formations may be embodied in the form of aflixed members, such as the plates 24 which are secured to the sheave-supporting frame plates l5, l6, and I1 by rivets 25.

Again, these lading formations may be embodied in the form of integral projecting formations, such as the integral formations 8a and 90. on the sides of the sheave supporting frame plates 8 and 9 which face the sheaves adjacent thereto.

It will be obvious that the lading formations 24 the form of integral formations, and that the integral formations 8a and 94; may likewise take the form of aflixed formations, within the spirit of the invention.

Whether aflixed or integral, these formations are preferably permanent complements of the individual sheave-supporting frame plates, which require no attention, adjustment or installation when assembling or disassembling the block.

The plate I8 is preferably devoid of any complementary lading formations, inasmuch as this plate is on the faster side of the traveling block and this side will tend to travel more rapidly either in the up The structure is such that the lower end portion of that side of the block which would normally tend to travel downwardly more slowly, when the block is unloaded, will have its weight supplemented by the lading means disposed thereon, which will tend to increase this speed of downward travel, by exerting the force of the dead weight of the lading formations and thereby causing the rope from the fast side of the block to be kept under tension and arrive quickly, and thus tend to avoid tilting.

It will be seen from this structure that I have produced a traveling block having sheave-supporting frame plates with sides which directly face the sides of the adjacent supported sheaves which have a predominantly greater weight symmetrically distributed over substantial portions of their areas below the axes of the supported sheaves in comparison with their areas above the axes of the sheaves.

This predominance of weight in the lower portions of these individual sheave-supporting frame plates is such as to produce a like predominance of weight in the lower portion of the traveling block as a whole in comparison with the upper part thereof.

Furthermore, it will be seen that I have achieved this predominantly greater weight in the lower portion of the structure without necessarily increasing the length of the traveling block below the axes of the sheaves beyond the length requisite to secure adequate stock in the sheave supporting frame plates to accommodate the load supporting attachment.

The complementary material which I have used to accomplish this predominantly greater weight in the lower portion of the traveling block in comparison with the upper part thereof, is, it will be apparent, disposed on and is a part of the sides of the sheave-supporting frame plates which directly face the supported sheaves.

It will, however, be understood that I may accomplish this object of obtaining a predominantly greater weight in the traveling block structure below the axes of the sheaves in comparison with a substantially equal length thereabove by cutting out substantial sections in that part of theplates above the said axes instead of by complementing the section of the plates below the axes.

It will likewise be understood that both means may be utilized to produce the desired predominance of weight in the block below the axes of the sheaves.

Before discussing the details of the binding pins I9, 20, 2|, and-22 and their manner of connecting the plates 8 and 9 and the plates l5, l8, l1, and I8 together to form the framework of the traveling the fact that these pins and the spacing collars 23 serve to maintain an exactly spaced and rigidly bound assembly of the sheave-supporting plates of the traveling block frame-work to resist the development of warping and distortion in these plates under all conditions of use in the field.

This is particularly important in connection with the function of pins 2| and 22 and the spacing collars 23 and the fact that they hold the lower end edges of the sheave-supporting frame plates of the framework in a rigidly spaced and bound relationship thereby preventing the warping and distortion thereof during all phases of the manipulation and displacement of the lower block, attention should be called to or down movement of the block, when it is not loaded.

becket and its supporting loosely inserted therein.

The importance of this feature arises from the fact it then becomes readily feasible to loosen the becket pin or entirely withdraw it to disconnect the becket while maintaining without alteration in any way, of the relative positions of the various apertures through which the becket pin must pass when it is again to be inserted into the assembled position where it will support the becket.

Thus, the becket may be disconnected and reconnected at will, and with ease and rapidity and no time will be lost during such operations.

It will, of course, be understood that the becket pin 26 is secured in operative position by the nut 28.

It is quite a common practice in of wells to, at times during the operations, connect the standing part hoisting cable to the traveling block as less load is thereby imposed on the well derrick than is the case when the standing part is anchored elsewhere.

This is particularly heavy strings of possible factor of The usual true when inserting long, well casing when the largest safety is sought.

block. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, I have accomplished this by providing anchor means on the honda shaped or egg" end elevation, as in Figure 1.

This boss 29 is preferably provided with a rope rel I 33 which is preferably secured by screw bolts 36,

36 threaded into the outer side of the plate 8.

It will be noted that the plate 33 is L-shaped and that its horizontal leg 33a extends into posie tion beneath the boss 29 and in such position that the loop 3| will be precluded from leaving the groove 30.

The parts of the cable forming the loop M are held together by means of clamps 35 which are disposed in the aperture 36 which is preferably integrally formed within "the lateral limits of the plate 8.

Furthermore, this is accomplished structure which is so located that the dead line or standing part of the cable may lead fairly thereto.

porting frame plates.

One of these boss formations is preferably disposed at either end of each of the straight wall binding pin and becket pin apertures through the inner plates, and at the inner ends of thoseapertures through the outer plates, to serve as guides, so that these pins are readily steered into position.

Thus, with reference to Figure 7, it will be seen that the plates l1 and I8 are provided on either side thereof with annular plates 38 and 6| having funnel shaped mouths 38a and a, the

by a simple inner, smaller ends of which coincide with and form, in effect, outwardly flaring extensions of the straight walls of the apertmes 39 through the plates l| and I8.

It will be noted that these funnel shaped mouths 38a and Ma are reversely beveled so that these plates may be placed either in the position shownv or they may be reversed so that the mouths 4la. are on the left hand side.

In any event, with this structure, when it is sought to introduce the pin 26 into its proper position of assembly, it will readily enter the outer lips of the funnel shaped mouths 38a or 4m and be steered into the straight walls of the apertures 39 of the plates.

The-same structure may be utilized in all of the plates, and it will, of course, be understood that the annular plates 38 and 4|, which are secured to the respective frame plates by the rivets 40 and by welding, as at 40 in Figure 6, may be replaced by integral boss formations projecting outwardly from the lines defining the sides bounding the normal cross section of the plates l5, i6, i1 and I8 to constitute like extensions in which funnel shaped mouth pin guide means may be formed, and thus maintain the straight wall portions of the apertures across the full normal cross section of the metal of the plates.

The inner sides of the outer plates 8 and 9, in addition to the formations 8a and 9a, are provided with integrally formed boss formations 42 and 43 which project away from the lines defining the inner sides of the normal cross sections of these plates toward a point coincident with the central planes of the adjacent sheaves which have plane face sides directly facing the said inner sides of the said plates.

These bosses 42 and 43 have funnel shaped apertures 42a and 43a formed through their thicknesses which decrease in taper toward and terminate at the ends of the straight walls of the apertures 44 and 45 formed through these plates 8 and 9, respectively, for the reception of the becket pin 26. The funnel shaped mouths or apertures 42a and 43a likewise facilitate the insertion of the becket pin 26.

This structure will be readily understood by reference to Figure 4 of the drawings where the pin 26 is shown secured in operative position by means of the nut 28.

By reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings it will be noted that the pin I9 is provided with threaded portions upon each end thereof.

This is true of all of the pins i9, 20, 2| and 22. These threaded portions are adapted to lie within the tapered recesses 46 formed in the outer side walls of the outer plates 8 and 9.

These tapered recesses 45 are adapted to receive the nuts 41 having tapered edges 48, which nuts 41 are designed to be screwed upon the threaded ends of the pin l9 until their edges 48 assume a seating contact with the taperedwalls of these recesses 46. When the structure is assembled, the said seating contact will result in the utilization of the greater portion or all of the stock of the outer plates for useful work and will, therefore, render possible the use of outer plates of less thickness than would otherwise be necessary.

traveling upon a suitable surface and maintained upright thereon to facilitate reeving, chang or unreeving the hoisting rope therethrough.

It will be apparent that I have provided a traveling block of novel form.

For one thing, this traveling block is materially shortened, in comparison with traveling blocks normally used in well drilling operations.

This important advantage has been attained both by the elimination of the upper becket and by the attainment of the predominantly greater weight of the lower part of the traveling block in comparison with the upper part thereof. This predominantly greater weight in the lower portion of the block has been achieved by a substantial increase in thelateral direction, instead of lengthwise, of the cubical contents of individual sheave-supporting frame plates of the block, thereby obviating extra length on the lower end of the structure.

Furthermore, the upper portions of the cheek plates are, as will be noted, of less than normal cross-sections, which also helps to produce the .predominancy of weight in the mentioned lower portion of the block.

It will be apparent that this complementary material embodied in the individual sheave-supporting frame plates of the block is disposed to form projections extending from the normal interior lines of the frame plate structure, which also enables the maintenance of a restricted overall width of the block and utilizes hitherto unoccupied space therein by means of a novel construction.

It will also be apparent that I have provided a traveling block framework, the sheave supporting plates of which are rigidly spaced and bound together without the aid of the lower becket pin. It will be obvious that this lower becket pin may be removed and re-inserted without the difficulties and delays commonly experienced with traveling blocks wherein this lower becket pin is utilized as a mean for holding the lower end of the framework against separation.

It will likewise be apparent that my structure is such that all pins utilized may fit closely in their apertures which have straight walls extending entirely through the normal cross sections of the frame plates through which they are formed.

Furthermore, it will be readily seen that all pins utilized may be inserted without difficulty, owing to the special interiorly disposed guiding means which I have provided therefor for progressively guiding them from an aperture through one of the outer frame plates into the apertures through the eyes of the becket, the inner'frame plates and the spacing collars as the case may be, and thence into the aperture through the opposite outer frame plate.

In addition, it will be obvious that the pins which I utilize for securing the framework elements together, as well as the becket pin and the sheave-supporting pin, are firmly secured into operative position by means which may be flush with the outer faces of the cheek plates of the traveling block and which, at the same time, seat in their respective recesses in such a manner that check plates of minimum thickness may be used, with a consequent reduction in traveling block widths.

It will also be obvious that the'binding and spacing means which maintain the sheave-supporting plates of my novel traveling block framework in rigidly bound and, spaced relationship,

independently of becket pins and sheave-supporting pins or shafts, is perfectly adapted to constructions embodying the conventional pin or shaft for supporting sheaves therein, such as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

It will, furthermore, be manifest that this porting means, such as, among others, ture described and claimed in my co-pending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 485,275, filed September 29th, 1930.

It is obvious that there are other advantages of my structure which need 3. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising a plurality of sheave being located more on the slow side of said traveling block than on the fast side thereof.

5. In means to predominantly lade one side of and projecting from the said side.

6. In means to predominantly lade one side of 7. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising a plurality of sheave members, a framework for supporting said sheave members, means for rotatably mounting said sheave members therein, and lading means within the peripheral above the said axes.

8. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising'a plurality of sheave members, a framework-for supporting said sheave in relation with the portion of said traveling block above said axes.

9. An elongated plate for traveling block construction having an aperture for the reception means to rotatably support an associated sheave its ends adapted for the reception of load supporting means, and

of'the portion thereof below the said axis in relation to the weight of the the said a 13. A vertically elongated plate for traveling blocl: construction apertured between its ends to between said line and the upper end thereof, whereby the center of gravity of the said two portions of the said two areas of the plate taken together is a substantial distance below the said line.

14. A plate for a traveling block framework apertured between its ends for the reception of means for rotatably associating a sheave therewith, the cubical contents of a substantial part of the plate co-incident with a unit of area of 15. A plate for a traveling block framework I apertured between its ends to receive sheave supof a transverse line through -the reception of means porting means, and apertured at one of its ends to receive load. supporting means, the cubical contents of the plate per average unit of width and length in the area between the lower end thereof and a line at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the plate and coincident with the center of the aperture to receive sheave supporting means being predominantly greater than the cubical contents of the plate per average 'unit of length and width in the area between the said line and the other end of the plate whereby to predominantly lade the first said end thereof in comparison with the second said end.

16. An elongated plate for traveling block construction having an aperture between its ends for to rotatably support an associated sheave, and having means on one of its ends adapted to receive load-supporting means, the cubical contents of the square area of the upper end portion thereof which is defined by its edge extremities and a transverse line coincident with the axial center of the said aperture being substantially less than the cubical contents of an equal square area on the lower end portion thereof bounded on one of its sides by the said line.

17. An elongated plate for traveling block construction having an amrture adjacent to its longitudinal center for the reception of means to rotatably support an associated sheave and having a portion on its lower (and adapted to receive a load supporting attachment, the square areas of the respective ends of the plate on either side the axial center of the said aperture, exclusive of the square area of the said portion, being substantially equal, and the lower end, exclusive of the said portion, having a predominantly greater cubical content than the upper end.

18. In a, traveling block construction, a plurality of plates, parallel sheaves interposed in alternating relation to the said plates and supported thereby and each having a grooved periphery terminating in edge portions at the respective sides thereof, each of the'said plates having a side directly facing a side of an adjacent sheave, and a projecting formation extending therefrom toward a point co-incident with the central plane of the said adjacent sheave and beyond a point co-incident with the plane of an adjacent peripheral edge portion thereof.

19. A plate for traveling blocks having one or more sides adapted to directly face the plane face sides of sheaves means associated therewith and having a plurality of apertures formed transversely of its cross section including an aperture adapted for the reception of means to rotatably support associated sheave means and other apertures adapted for the reception of pin means including an aperture adapted to receive a part of a load supporting attachment, all of the last said apertures being pos'tioned relative to the first mentioned aperture so that pin means received therein are disposed beyond the peripheral limits of associated sheave means, said plate having a plurality of projecting formtions extending from the said one or more sides some of which extend from points on the plate within the area to he described by the peripheries of associated sheave means and some of which extend from points thereon outside of the said area, the projecting formations extending from points below a line at right angles to the vertical axis of the plate and coincident with the center of the first mentioned aperture being predominantly heavier than the projecting formations extending from points thereon above the said line.

20. In a traveling block constructio a plurality of sheaves, each having a grooved periphery terminating in an edge on either side thereof, a plurality of frame plates each of which has a side facing the said sheaves, and projecting formations extending from the said sides toward a point coincident with the central plane of the sheave faced, each of the said formations having a vertical face positioned closer than the adjacent side edge of the periphery of the sheave faced to a point coincident with the central plane of the said sheave.

21. A check plate for traveling blocks consisting of a vertically elongated member devoid of angular projections on its outer face, the member having means adapted for the attachment of the standing part of a hoisting cable thereto, the said plate having a passage adapted to receive sheave supporting means and a plurality of passages, certain of which latter are adapted to receive binding pins and another of which is adapted to receive a load supporting pin, all of said binding pin and load supporting pin receiving passages being positioned relative to the sheave supporting means passage so that same are adapted to be disposed beyond the periphery of a supported sheave the diameter of which is such as to closely approach the opposite side edges of the member and the upper edge thereof, and having pro jecting formations extending from the inner face thereof.

22. A cheek plate for traveling blocks consisting of a vertically elongated member devoid of angular projections on its outer face, the member having means adapted for the attachment of the standing part of a compound pulley hoisting cable thereto, the said plate having a passage adapted to receive sheave supporting means, and a plurality of passages certain of which latter are adapted to receiving binding pins and another of which is adapted to receive a load supporting pin, all of said binding pin and load supporting pin receiving passages being positioned relative to the sheave supporting means passage so that same are adapted to be disposed beyond the periphery of a supported sheave the diameter of which is such as to closely approach the oppo'site side edges of the. member and the upper edge thereof, and having projecting formations extending from the inner face thereof, some of the said projecting formations being disposed in the from the portion ter of the said passage.

23. An elongated plate for traveling block construction adapted to be disposed between two associated sheaves apertured for the reception of means adapted to rotatably support sheaves, the normal cross section of the said plate being defined by es which permit the free rotation of an associated sheave on either side thereof, and

of load supporting means.

24. A plate for traveling blocks having one or which conform substantially to parallel lines and a rectilinear edge portion bounding the said end thereof, said plate having portion that it occupies respect to either of the said parallel edge portions, by having a short portion at the opposite end of the plate extending a distance from the said axial center of associated sheave means.

26. A traveling block construction for well drill-- ing operations comprising a plurality of sheave members, a framework for supporting said sheave members and including a plurality of plates having alined apertures, means for rotatably supporting said sheave members therebetween, a removable pin projecting through said apertures and boss means disposed on the sides of the said plates which face toward sides of the said sheaves, said boss means having funnel-shaped mouths which taper decree-singly from their outer faces to terminate at the ends of the said alined apertures for progressively guiding said pin into said apertures interiorly of the said framework.

27. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising a framework made up of parts having apertures theredesigned to have a close fit in such teriorly of the said framework means to facilitate the progressive introduction of said pin shoulder into said apertures, the said means being disposed outside of the lines which define the normal cross section of the said parts of the said framework.

exactly the last said pin tion.

29. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising a plurality of sheave members, a framework comprising plates, means for rotatably supporting said sheave members therein, the said plates having a plurality of sets of alined apertures formed therethrough at points adjacent the lower end spacing means disposed said plates, pin means disposed through some of the said apertures and co-operable with the said spacing means for exactly spacing, rigidly binding together, and maintaining the said lower end edge portions through which the said apertures are formed in alinement, means for maintaining the said pin means in applied operative position, a becket, pin means disposed through other of the pivotalsupport of the becket, means to secure the last said pin in operative applied position, and means to secure the upper end edge portions of the said plates in rigidly alined, spaced and bound relationship.

- 30. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising a framework, a pin edge portions thereof, alternately between the projecting through said framework and terminating within the width thereof in apertures in said framework, each of which apertures has a tapered wall portion and a straight wall portion, and a tapered nut threaded onto each end of said pin and screwed into seating contact with tapered wall portions of the said apertures.

31. In sheave block construction, a pair of check plates, a binding pin, the said cheek plates having openings therein including straight wall portions of substantially the same diameter as the pin so as to receive and support said pin, and the said pin having threaded ends extending beyond said first named portions of the openings and into flared enlargements of the openings, and threaded nuts with flared edges adapted to engage said threaded ends and to be screwed into seating relation with said flared portions of said openings.

32. In sheave block construction, a pair of cheek plates, a binding pin, the said cheek plates having openings therein including straight wall portions of substantially the same diameter as the pin so as to receive and support said pin, and the said pin having threaded ends extending beyond said first named portions of the openings and into flared enlargements of the openings, and threaded nuts with flared edges adapted to engage said threaded ends and to be screwed into seating relation with said flared portions of said openings, the outer extremities of said pins and said nuts being within the contour lines of the outer faces of said cheek plates.

33. A traveling block construction for well drilling operations comprising a plurality of sheave members, a framework including plates for supporting said sheave members, and means for connecting the standing part of a hoisting cable to said traveling block, said last named means having its effective anchorage disposed at a level below the upper peripheral surfaces of said sheave members and within the lateral limits of an outermost plate of said framework.

34. A traveling block construction for well drilling operation comprising a sheave, a framework including plates for supporting said sheave, said framework terminating at its top at the periphery of the said sheave, and anchorage means for connecting the standing part of a hoisting cable to said traveling block, said last named means being disp e -within symmetrical contourlines of the said framework and carried wholly by one of the.

said plates.

35. A traveling block structure comprising a plurality of plates having different sets of alined apertures formed therethrough to respectively engage binding pin means, load supporting means and sheave supporting means, spacer elements disposed between said plates to space them apart, a plurality of binding pins to extend through some of said apertures for binding said plates in said spaced relation, binding pins in operative position, sheave means disposed between said plates, means disposed through'some of the apertures in said plates to rotatably support said sheave means, three edges of said plates extending to points substantially co-incident with the peripheral limit of the said sheave means, and other edges of said plates extending to a point beyond the said peripheral limit to engage load supporting means, said binding pins being disposed on opposite sides and opposite ends of said structure and outside of the area circumscribed by the said peripheral limit of the sheave means and being entirely indemeans for securing said pendent of the sheave supporting means and the load supporting means, and anchorage means to engage the standing part of a compound pulley hoisting line, said anchorage means being disposed within symmetrical contour lines of the said structure.

36. A traveling block structure comprising a plurality of plates having different sets of alined apertures formed therethrough to respectively engage binding pin means, load supporting means and sheave supporting means, spacer elements disposed between said plates to space them apart, a plurality of binding pins to extend through some of said apertures for binding said plates in said spaced relation, means for securing said binding pins in operative position, sheave means disposed between said plates, means disposed through some of the. apertures in said plates to rotatably support said sheave means, three edges of said plates extending to points substantially co-incident with the peripheral limit of the said sheave means, and other edges of said .plates extending to a point beyond the said peripheral limit to engage load supporting means, said binding pins being disposed on opposite sides and opposite ends of said structure and outside of the area circumscribed by the said peripheral limit of the sheave means and being entirely independent ofthe sheave supporting means and the load supporting means, and anchorage means to 3 engage the standing part of a compound pulley hoisting rope, said anchorage means being disposed within the area of the said structure.

37. A traveling block structure comprising a plurality of plates having v apertures formed therethrough to respectively engage binding pin means, load supporting means and sheave supporting means, spacerelements disposedbetween said plates to space them apart, a plurality of binding pins to extend through some of said apertures for binding said plates in said spaced relation, means for securing said binding pins in operative position, sheave means disposed between said plates, means disposed through some of the apertures in said plates to rotatably support said sheave means, three edges of said plates extending to points substantially co-incident with the peripheral limit of the said sheave means, and other edges of said platesextending to a point beyond the said peripheral limit to engage load supporting means, said binding'pins being disposed on opposite sides and opposite endsof. said structure and outside of the area circumscribed by the said peripheral limit of the sheave means and being entirely independent of the sheave supporting means and the load supporting means, and anchorage means to engage the standing part of a compound pulley hoisting rope, said anchorage means being disposed within the lateral limits of one of said plates.

38. A trave block structm'e comprising plates, rotatable sheaves supported by and between said plates, becket means disposed on one of the ends of said structure and supported 6 thereon by pin means disposed in apertures through said plates, the other of the ends of said-plates terminating at a distance from the axis of said sheaves substantially co-incident .with the peripheries of said sheaves'and anchordifferent sets of alined 3 disposed within the lateral limits of said struchim 39. A traveling block 'structure comprising plates, rotatable sheaves supported by and between said plates, becket means disposed on one of the ends of said structure and supported axis of said sheaves substantially co-incident with the peripheries of said sheaves, and anchorage means for the standing part of a compound pulley hoisting line at the last said end and having its efiective point within the area described by the peripheries of said sheaves and disposed within symmetrical contour lines of said structure.

40. A plate for traveling blocks, the body of which is characterized by the contour of portions of the edges that define its length and width comprising portions of the edges bounding it on one end which conform substantially to parallel lines and a rectilinear edge portion bounding the said end thereof, said plate having an opening adapted to receive means for rotatably supporting a sheave, said opening being so disposed that the axial center thereof is substantially equidistant from the three said'edge portions so that when the plate is associated with a sheave having a diametrical dimension approximately equal to its width between the said parallel edge portions thereof the periphery of the sheave will occupy substantially the same relative position with respect to the said end edge with respect to either of the said parallel edge portions, by having a short portion at the opposite end thereof extending a distance from the said axial center of the said opening slightly in excess of the distance between the said axial center 0 'the said opening and the first said end, and having an aperture adapted to receive a part of a load supporting attachment,.

by having a portion on either side of the center of the first said end apertured for the reception of binding pins therethrough, and further characterized by having anchorage means for connecting the standing part of a hoisting cable thereto, the last said means being disposed wholly within the body thereof.

41. A cheek plate for traveling blocks consisting of a vertically elongated member having means adapted for the attachment of the standing part of a hoisting cable, the last said means being disposed interiorly thereof.

42. A cheek plate for traveling blocks consisting of a vertically elongated member devoid of angular projections on its outer face, the member having means adapted for the attachment of the standing part of a hoisting cable thereto, the said means being disposed interiorly thereof.

43. A cheek plate for traveling blocks consisting of a vertically elongated member devoid of angular projections on its outer face, the member having means adapted for the attachment of the standing part of a hoisting cable thereto, the said plate having a passage adapt-ed to receive sheave supporting means and a plurality of. passages, certain of which latter are adapted to receive binding pins and another of which is adapted to receive a becket supporting pin, all of said binding pin and becket pin receiving passages being positioned relative to the sheave supporting means passage so that same are adapted to be disposed beyond the periphery of a supported sheave the diameter of which is such as to closely approach the opposite side edges of the member and the upper edge thereof.

44. A cheek plate for traveling blocks charac- HARRY TALMAGE NICHOLS.

with an aperture to receive 

